Doing our part, against our wills. Sort of.

Since we leased our truck just over 3 years ago, I've felt a sense of guilt. And starting the day we drove it home, I've felt the need to explain that we purposely chose a teeny tiny SUV, because that way I would feel better about the decision cruise around town in something that obviously guzzles gas and pollutes the environment.
In the past three years since we leased the truck we have moved, gotten married, gone camping countless times, helped friends move, driven to Virginia, adopted a 70lb dog and now, had a baby. All of these things made having a truck more than handy. And now, because of the last two, the truck has been invaluable. We seriously could not have gotten around this winter without the space the truck provides.
But what also came with the baby is a year of maternity leave. This means two things to our family: only 55% of my income for the next 9 months and less than 50% of a need for a second vehicle. We consider ourselves very lucky that Dan works only 5 kms from home and since he will likely bike to work every day this spring/summer, our need for the truck is further reduced.
So we started to ask ourselves if we really need the second vehicle. Need? No. Want and love? Yes. Unfortunately, the want and love lost out this time. It just doeasn't make sense to keep the truck if it sits there most days unused, as it did this winter. So we advertised at AADA Leasing and have had two hits. Two people are interested in taking over the lease ASAP, which means we are about to say adios to the freedom two cars brings us, and hello to one-car-family status.
I feel sad but also a little relieved that I no longer have to justify why we decided to get a truck in the first place. I will sleep just a little easier at night knowing that I am a little less to blame for the the thinning of the ozone layer and the polar bears losing their hunting ground to global warming. I can once again claim to be environmentally conscious. For now, anyway.